The story of a Dutch freighter during the Second World War
Pictures third voyage
Abbekerk at unknown port, probably Rotterdam or Antwerp. (unknown source)
Abbekerk moured alongside Arendskerk. Probably Rotterdam in januari 1940, and only days before Arendskerk was torpedoed. (Photobook A.W. Kik)
Abbekerk moured alongside Arendskerk. Probably Rotterdam in januari 1940, and only days before Arendskerk was torpedoed. (Photobook A.W. Kik)
Capetown, juni 1940. A month after Germany invaded Holland. Abbekerk now painted grey as camouflage. (John H. Marsh Maritime Research Centre, http://rapidttp.co.za/museum/ )
Rear Admiral Hugh Hext Rogers (1883-1955), an ex Royal Navy officer and member of the Royal Navy Reserve with a distinguished career, served as a convoy commodore during the second world war. During his time at sea he completed a number of drawings of the vessels in his convoys in their correct order, perhaps as an aid to memory or to exercise his artistic talent. (http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/collections/boa/hext-rogers-drawings.aspx)
SS Troutpool, days after she was sunk (http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/belfast-lough-condor.20367)
A convoy at the mouth of Belfast Lough with the sunken SS Troutpool lying behind the ships (http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/belfast-lough-condor.20367)
Adriaan W Kik, who's memoirs are the inspiration and base of this website
Lest we forget
The Netherlands started the war with 640 seagoing ships. From these 351 ships were lost during the war. Of the 12000 Dutch and 6500 other nationalities that manned those ships, 3600 were killed.
Killed while serving on Abbekerk:
Herbertus Boender, ass. engineer, March 10, 1940 (accident in London)
Geert Frederik van der Laan, 1st Mate, August 24, 1942 (when Abbekerk sunk).
Still under repair …
The site is still not fully repaired after a hack attempt. Some parts, including few of the Dutch translations and menu’s,stillĀ do not work yet. This will be fixt later this year.
Apologies for the inconvenience, Peter.